Monday 14 November 2011

Background

This transcendent moment in Jesus' story comes follows hisfriend Peter's realisation that Jesus is "the Messiah, the Son ofthe living God" (Matthew 16:16). After Peter's declaration Jesusbegins to speak of his future suffering and death (Matthew16:21). Then he takes his closest friends with him up themountain where he is transformed before them - a moment of glory.Then just a few verses later Jesus is again speaking of his death(Matthew 17:22).

So from the declaration from Peter. it's as if the steady,foreboding drum beat begins, foreshadowing Jesus' final journey tothe cross. In the midst of that dark rhythm we get this stunningshaft of light: God speaks from a bright cloud in words thatresonate with what Peter has already said: "This is my Son, theBeloved: with him I am well pleased". The testimony of earth andthe testimony of heaven come together on this carpenter fromNazareth on a mountain top.

Peter didn't need the voice from heaven to come his understandingof who Jesus is - he simply spent time with him, watching whatJesus did, walking with him, sharing food with him, sharingfriendships with him. But Peter's moment of insight is followed bea series of faux pas: "God forbid!" (Matthew16:22) he tells Jesus when he speaks of his death, and then onthe mountain top he thinks it would be a good idea to put up tentsso that they can stay in that glorious place (verse 4).

Peter is trying to work out what it means for Jesus to be "theMessiah, the Son of the living God". He baulks at the idea of theMessiah suffering and dying so when the glory of heaven opens up hethinks 'That's more like it! Let's stay here'. But Jesus knows thatthe only way to be faithful to who he is called to be is to walkdown the mountain, back into the mess, pain and chaos of the realworld. And Peter, despite his flawed understanding and the factthat he's not quite sure what's going on, follows him down.

To Ponder

Is it more important to understand who Jesus isor to follow him? What's the difference?

Why do you think it is important that Peter comesto his realisation of who Jesus is before he hears the words fromheaven?